With the new year underway, Hopewell Borough swore in Debra Stuhler and Anthony Fuller for their three-year terms on Borough Council.
During the reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, Stuhler, who earned her third term on council in November, and Fuller, who secured his first term in the general election, were each given their oaths of office by Mayor Ryan Kennedy.
Stuhler is looking forward to 2025.
“We are going to have a great year,” she said.
Fuller said he appreciates the opportunity to join the council.
“2025 will bring significant decisions for the borough and I think it is a huge privilege to be here at this time, he said. “I think it is easy to get lost in some of the procedural details, some of the facts, and key data behind some of the questions.
“I think we also need to remember the human and community aspect of these big decisions. Some of the things we are facing this year I think will have repercussions for years and generations to come. So, it is a very exciting time to be on council.”
Councilwoman Krista Weaver, who served as council president in 2024, nominated Councilman David Mackie to the role.
“…with his years of service to the community and expertise in several of the issues facing the borough at this time I think he is an excellent choice for president in 2025,” Weaver said.
There were no other nominations made.
“I want to thank all of the team we have in the borough, it is just so extraordinary both on council and this side of the dais,” Mackie said. “It is what makes it worth doing, being a part of all of this. We have got a lot of challenges ahead of us, a lot of challenges this year. It is really an exceptional group of people. The way everybody works to get things done…thank you Krista for council president last year.”
Kennedy, who is in the second year of his first four-year term as mayor, acknowledged in his remarks during the meeting that 2025 will be challenging.
“But I have every confidence that the people of this community led by my friends and colleagues on both sides of this table will continue together and show that caring, inclusive, welcoming place that Hopewell Borough has always been,” he said.
“We are writing our history here, but it will continue to be one of special meetings, better communications, and more input. It is not possible for everyone to agree on every topic, but we can all agree to listen, share and act with compassion that brings people to this special place.
“This will be the year the next decades are shaped,” Kennedy added.
